Mili (1975)

Another movie that is easy to love, from director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, 1975’s Mili (‘found’), staring Amitabh Bachchan as the gloomy and grief stricken Shekhar Dayal and Jaya Bhaduri (now Bachchan) as Mili Khanna, the sweet girl that draws out Shekhar from his world of darkness.

This movie is one of the pre-Sholay era masterpieces that manages to draw out Mr. Bachchan’s talents as a versatile, fantastic actor, capable of a wide range of emotions. Combine with Mukherjee’s sense of direction that I am starting to appreciate more and more, with Mrs. Bachchan’s impeccable portrayal of utter sweetness, the movie is gold.

The story revolves around Mili, who is loved by everyone in her apartment complex, and is a ray of sunshine in everyone’s lives- except she has a terminal, incurable illness. Along comes Shekhar Dayal with his man-servant, stricken by the grief of his father having murdered his mother, and having to constantly change residence to find peace away from rumors, from the memories of his parents.

In Mili, he finds peace. And in her love, he finds the strength to live and even become strong to enough to shoulder her burden, and to rejoin the world of color and smile, laughter.

The story appeals to the romantic’s heart…it will make you cry. But you’ll love it completely.

It is a true movie lover’s movie, with enough of Mr. Bachchan’s legendary drunk scenes to keep anyone utterly content. The acting by the entire cast is fantastic with a sweet soundtrack, nothing is out of place. I especially love Mili’s father played by Ashok Kumar and Shekhar’s man servant, whose name I cannot find actually!

The movie is one of the most amazing collaborations between the future and blessed Mr. and Mrs. Bachchan.

I’m going to go play with the stars,

-Ish